David Eustace is hoping the likes of Sports Legend and Amazing Award can kick-start his season as he looks to break his duck at Happy Valley on Wednesday evening.

The 34-year-old is the only trainer without a win to his name this campaign, with the only other maiden for the season, Pierre Ng Pang-chi, getting off the mark at Sha Tin on Saturday.

The slow start was something that Eustace was expecting, however, and after securing a strong haul of 36 winners in his first season in Hong Kong, the Briton is not worried about the current state of affairs.

“I predicted a slow start numerically and that has been the case, but hopefully we can get the first one and go from there,” said Eustace.

That could all change with a small but strong squad at the city circuit on Wednesday, with chief among his chances being Sports Legend in the first section of the Class Three Harbour View Handicap (1,200m).

Trained by Danny Shum Chap-shing last season, the six-year-old went winless but was close up on a pair of occasions, latterly off a rating eight points higher than his current mark of 66.

He was an impressive winner of a dirt trial at Sha Tin last month and Eustace is really looking forward to getting him going for his stable.

“He was very consistent and obviously put in two really good performances at the Valley last season, so it was logical to come back and kick him off there,” said Eustace.

“I do think I’d be very open to racing him on the all-weather and the turf in 1,200m races, he seems very adaptable. He trialled really well on the dirt and he seems in great form.

“[Gate 12] is not perfect, but I’m very happy with him in a tough race. We’ll likely be positive from there and just hope that there isn’t too much pressure inside.”

Eustace also runs the ultra-consistent Amazing Award in the second section of the Class Four Man Cheung Handicap (1,650m) under his regular partner Karis Teetan.

The son of Kermadec had all but one of his starts last campaign at the Valley and won on a pair of occasions over course and distance, most recently in May when lashing home from the rear.

There should be plenty of pace for the five-year-old to chase and he rates as a huge chance for Eustace.

“He was terrific last year. He was very consistent, barely missed a place and he seems to really appreciate the Valley,” said Eustace. “He’s got a wide gate, which he’s been able to sort of overcome and run very well from before, but he’ll certainly be dictated to by the pace of the race, which I haven’t seen yet.

“If they really run along, I’m sure he’ll close off and he’s hopefully going to make that step from Class Four to Class Three if possible and we’ll see if he can.”

Eustace also runs Celestial Patch, Keen Molly and Young Emperor, with the latter making his return from injury after undergoing knee surgery.

“Young Emperor ran a great race on debut and he had excuses on both starts since – he didn’t handle the ground second start and he actually fractured a knee in his third start,” said Eustace.

“His two trials have been good but he’ll almost certainly improve significantly for this run.”